System and method for providing single fiber 4K video

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a device that encodes digital signals representing image data captured by a video camera and provided according to a 4K ultra-high definition (4K-UHD) standard. The digital signals are transmitted as serial digital interface (SDI) streams to a wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) unit; the WDM unit performs electrical-to-optical conversion of the SDI streams and outputs a multiplexed signal to a single fiber-optic cable. The video camera, encoding unit, and WDM unit form a combined module within a housing; the device connects to a proximal end of a single fiber-optic cable, and a distal end of the single fiber-optic cable is configurable for connection to a demultiplexer of a 4K-UHD video presentation device. The multiplexed signal is transmitted on the single fiber-optic cable unidirectionally from the proximal end to the distal end. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/615,303, filed Jun. 6, 2017. All sections of the aforementionedapplication(s) are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to a system and method for providingdigital video/audio information from a source device on a singleunidirectional fiber optic cable.

BACKGROUND

Ultra-high-definition (“4K”) broadcast video signals (sometimes called“quad-link” video) are generally transported from a source device to apresentation device via multiple cables in synchronized streamsaccording to the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) 1080 pstandard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a quad-link video camera including amultiplexer, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates encoding and multiplexing of signals inthe video camera of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a quad-link video system including acamera, a fiber optic cable and a display device, in accordance with anembodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method used in portionsof the system described in FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5-6 depict illustrative embodiments of communication systems thatprovide media services, which may be integrated with or communicate withthe system of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal forinteracting with the communication systems of FIGS. 5-6;

FIG. 8 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device; and

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments for delivering video/audio information from a source devicehaving an internal wave division multiplexer (WDM), via a singleunidirectional fiber optic cable. Other embodiments are described in thesubject disclosure.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a devicecomprising a processing system including a processor and a memory thatstores executable instructions. The instructions, when executed by theprocessing system, facilitate performance of operations. The operationscomprise encoding a plurality of digital signals representing image datacaptured by a video camera; the encoding is performed by an encodingunit coupled to the video camera, which provides the image data inaccordance with a 4K ultra-high definition (4K-UHD) standard. Theoperations also comprise transmitting the digital signals as a set offour serial digital interface (SDI) streams to a wavelength-divisionmultiplexing (WDM) unit coupled to the encoding unit; the WDM unitperforms electrical-to-optical conversion of the SDI streams and outputsa multiplexed signal comprising four wavelengths to a cable connectorconfigured for connecting to a single fiber-optic cable. In one or moreembodiments, the video camera, the encoding unit, and the WDM unit forma combined module within a housing having a port formed therein; thecable connector is configured for connecting to a proximal end of thesingle fiber-optic cable via the port and a distal end of the singlefiber-optic cable is configurable for connection to a demultiplexer of a4K-UHD video presentation device. The multiplexed signal is transmittedon the single fiber-optic cable unidirectionally from the proximal endto the distal end.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a method thatcomprises receiving, by a processing system including a processor, imagedata representing images captured by a video camera; generating aplurality of signals representing the image data; and converting theplurality of signals to a plurality of digital streams. The method alsocomprises performing electrical-to-optical conversion of the digitalstreams to generate a plurality of optical signals at a plurality ofdifferent wavelengths, and multiplexing the optical signals to generatea multiplexed signal comprising the plurality of wavelengths; themultiplexing comprises wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM). Themethod further comprises transmitting the multiplexed signal via aunidirectional single fiber optic cable to a video presentation device.In one or more embodiments, the electrical-to-optical conversion and themultiplexing are performed at an integrated device; the integrateddevice and the video camera are internal to a housing with a port formedtherein, and the integrated device is coupled to a cable connectorconfigured to connect to a proximal end of the fiber optic cable via theport. The distal end of the fiber optic cable is configured forconnection to a demultiplexer of a video presentation device.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a system thatcomprises a first device for capturing and sending image data; a seconddevice for receiving and presenting the image data; and a singlefiber-optic cable connecting the first device and the second device. Thefirst device comprises a first processing system including a firstprocessor and a first memory that stores first executable instructionsthat, when executed by the first processing system, facilitateperformance of operations. The operations comprise encoding a firstplurality of digital signals representing the image data captured by avideo camera; the encoding is performed by an encoding unit coupled tothe video camera, wherein the video camera provides the image data inaccordance with a 4K ultra-high definition (4K-UHD) standard. Theoperations also comprise transmitting the first plurality of digitalsignals as a set of four serial digital interface (SDI) streams to awavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) unit coupled to the encodingunit; the WDM unit performs electrical-to-optical conversion of the SDIstreams and outputs a multiplexed signal comprising four wavelengths toa first cable connector configured for connecting to the singlefiber-optic cable. The video camera, the encoding unit, and the WDM unitform a combined module within a housing of the first device, the housinghaving a port formed therein, wherein the first cable connector isconfigured for connecting to a proximal end of the single fiber-opticcable via the port. A distal end of the single fiber-optic cable isconfigured for connection to a second cable connector of the seconddevice, and the multiplexed signal is transmitted on the singlefiber-optic cable unidirectionally from the proximal end to the distalend. The second device comprises a second processing system including asecond processor and a second memory that stores second executableinstructions that, when executed by the second processing system,facilitate performance of operations. These operations comprisereceiving the multiplexed signal at the second cable connector, andtransmitting the multiplexed signal to a wavelength-divisiondemultiplexing unit coupled to the second cable connector; thewavelength-division demultiplexing unit provides four optical signalsand performs optical-to-electrical conversion of the optical signals togenerate a second plurality of digital signals representing the imagedata for presentation at a display of the second device.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a quad-link video camera 100, accordingto an embodiment of the disclosure. (It is understood that the term“video” as used herein also applies to audio/video or audio signals.)Video images are captured by a camera unit 102 withultra-high-definition (4K) resolution. Camera 100 also includes an imageprocessor 110, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 112, an encoder unit130, and a multiplexer unit 150. As shown in FIG. 1, these componentsare within camera body 101. In this embodiment, multiplexer unit 150comprises an on-chip wave-division multiplexer (WDM) which delivers amultiplexed optical signal to an optical fiber connector 160 at port 103of the camera body.

The A/D converter 112 outputs four synchronized digital streams 120 tothe encoding unit 130. The encoding unit delivers four separate digitalsignals 140 to the multiplexer unit 150; the output of the multiplexerunit is a combined optical signal delivered to connector 160, which canprovide a connection to a single fiber optic cable.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration 200 of video signal processing withinthe quad-link camera 100, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.The A/D converter 112 receives processed analog video data from imageprocessor 110, and outputs four digital streams 120-1, 120-2, 120-3,120-4 of video information. In this embodiment, the digital streams areSerial Digital Interface (SDI) streams in accordance with the Society ofMotion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) 424M standard. Encodedstreams 140-1, 140-2, 140-3, 140-4 are input to the multiplexer unit150.

In this embodiment, multiplexer unit 150 performs electrical-to-opticalconversion on the four inputs; four optical signals at differentwavelengths λ₁, λ₂, λ₃, λ₄ are transmitted to the WDM multiplexer 201 inaccordance with SMPTE standard 297. The output 210 of the multiplexer isan optical signal with combined wavelengths, delivered to connector 160.As shown schematically in FIG. 2, a single fiber optic cable 220connects to connector 160.

In an embodiment, the video camera unit 102, the image processor 110,the A/D converter 112, the encoding unit 130, and the WDM multiplexer201 form a combined module within the housing 101. In a particularembodiment, the WDM multiplexer and four electrical/optical convertersform an integrated device having four electrical inputs and one opticaloutput.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a 4K video presentation system 300 inaccordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. System 300 includescamera 100 and quad-link display device 310, connected by fiber opticcable 220. Cable 220 is a unidirectional fiber optic cable, connectingto connector 160 of camera 100 and connector 360 of display device 310.A WDM demultiplexer unit 350 receives the multiplexed optical signal viaconnector 360; the demultiplexed video signals are presented at the fourquadrants Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 of screen 320. As shown in FIG. 3, thedemultiplexer unit 350 is internal to the display device. In anembodiment, the WDM demultiplexer and four electrical/optical convertersform an integrated device having one optical input and four electricaloutputs.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a method 400 for processing andtransmitting quad-link video, in accordance with an embodiment of thedisclosure. In this embodiment, steps 402-412 are performed by, andwithin, camera 100, and steps 416-418 are performed by display device310.

In step 402, the video camera unit captures video images; analog signalscorresponding to the video information are generated (step 404) and thenconverted to digital streams (step 406). The digital streams are encoded(step 408) and input to the multiplexer unit, where electrical/opticalconversion is performed (step 410). Optical signals at four differentwavelengths are then multiplexed at the WDM multiplexer (step 412).

The output of the multiplexer is transmitted to the display device 310using a unidirectional fiber-optic cable (step 414). The multiplexedvideo signal is demultiplexed (step 416) by a WDM demultiplexer withinthe display device. The demultiplexed video streams are then presentedat the display screen 320.

While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respectiveprocesses are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 4, it isto be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is notlimited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what isdepicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks maybe required to implement the methods described herein.

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 500for providing various communication services, such as delivering mediacontent. The communication system 500 can represent an interactive medianetwork, such as an interactive television system (e.g., an InternetProtocol Television (IPTV) media system). Communication system 500 canbe overlaid or operably coupled with system 300 of FIG. 3 as anotherrepresentative embodiment of communication system 500. For instance, oneor more devices illustrated in the communication system 500 of FIG. 5can comprise a processing system including a processor and a memory thatstores executable instructions; the instructions, when executed by theprocessing system, facilitate performance of operations. The operationscan comprise encoding a plurality of digital signals representing imagedata captured by a video camera; the encoding can be performed by anencoding unit coupled to the video camera, which provides the image datain accordance with a 4K ultra-high definition (4K-UHD) standard. Theoperations can also comprise transmitting the digital signals as a setof four serial digital interface (SDI) streams to a wavelength-divisionmultiplexing (WDM) unit coupled to the encoding unit; the WDM unit canperform electrical-to-optical conversion of the SDI streams and canoutput a multiplexed signal comprising four wavelengths to a cableconnector configured for connecting to a single fiber-optic cable. Inone or more embodiments, the video camera, the encoding unit, and theWDM unit can form a combined module within a housing having a portformed therein; the cable connector can be configured for connecting toa proximal end of the single fiber-optic cable via the port, and adistal end of the single fiber-optic cable can be configurable forconnection to a demultiplexer of a 4K-UHD video presentation device. Themultiplexed signal can be transmitted on the single fiber-optic cableunidirectionally from the proximal end to the distal end.

In one or more embodiments, the communication system 500 can include asuper head-end office (SHO) 510 with at least one super headend officeserver (SHS) 511 which receives media content from satellite and/orterrestrial communication systems. In the present context, media contentcan represent, for example, audio content, moving image content such as2D or 3D videos, video games, virtual reality content, still imagecontent, and combinations thereof. The SHS server 511 can forwardpackets associated with the media content to one or more video head-endservers (VHS) 514 via a network of video head-end offices (VHO) 512according to a multicast communication protocol. The VHS 514 candistribute multimedia broadcast content via an access network 518 tocommercial and/or residential buildings 502 housing a gateway 504 (suchas a residential or commercial gateway).

The access network 518 can represent a group of digital subscriber lineaccess multiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central office or a servicearea interface that provide broadband services over fiber optical linksor copper twisted pairs 519 to buildings 502. The gateway 504 can usecommunication technology to distribute broadcast signals to mediaprocessors 506 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn presentbroadcast channels to media devices 508 such as computers or televisionsets managed in some instances by a media controller 507 (such as aninfrared or RF remote controller).

The gateway 504, the media processors 506, and media devices 508 canutilize tethered communication technologies (such as coaxial, powerlineor phone line wiring) or can operate over a wireless access protocolsuch as Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Bluetooth®, Zigbee or other present ornext generation local or personal area wireless network technologies. Byway of these interfaces, unicast communications can also be invokedbetween the media processors 506 and subsystems of the IPTV media systemfor services such as video-on-demand (VoD), browsing an electronicprogramming guide (EPG), or other infrastructure services.

A satellite broadcast television system 529 can be used in the mediasystem of FIG. 5. The satellite broadcast television system can beoverlaid, operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system as anotherrepresentative embodiment of communication system 500. In thisembodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 515 that include mediacontent can be received by a satellite dish receiver 531 coupled to thebuilding 502. Modulated signals received by the satellite dish receiver531 can be transferred to the media processors 506 for demodulating,decoding, encoding, and/or distributing broadcast channels to the mediadevices 508. The media processors 506 can be equipped with a broadbandport to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network 532 to enableinteractive services such as VoD and EPG as described above.

In yet another embodiment, an analog or digital cable broadcastdistribution system such as cable TV system 533 can be overlaid,operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system and/or the satelliteTV system as another representative embodiment of communication system500. In this embodiment, the cable TV system 533 can also provideInternet, telephony, and interactive media services. System 500 enablesvarious types of interactive television and/or services including IPTV,cable and/or satellite.

The subject disclosure can apply to other present or next generationover-the-air and/or landline media content services system.

Some of the network elements of the IPTV media system can be coupled toone or more computing devices 530, a portion of which can operate as aweb server for providing web portal services over the ISP network 532 towireline media devices 508 or wireless communication devices 516.

Communication system 500 can also provide for all or a portion of thecomputing devices 530 to function as a server. The media processors 506and wireless communication devices 516 can be provisioned with softwarefunctions to utilize the services of server 530.

Multiple forms of media services can be offered to media devices overlandline technologies such as those described above. Additionally, mediaservices can be offered to media devices by way of a wireless accessbase station 517 operating according to common wireless access protocolssuch as Global System for Mobile or GSM, Code Division Multiple Accessor CDMA, Time Division Multiple Access or TDMA, Universal MobileTelecommunications or UMTS, World interoperability for Microwave orWiMAX, Software Defined Radio or SDR, Long Term Evolution or LTE, and soon. Other present and next generation wide area wireless access networktechnologies can be used in one or more embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 600employing an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture tofacilitate the combined services of circuit-switched and packet-switchedsystems. Communication system 600 can be overlaid or operably coupledwith system 300 of FIG. 3 and communication system 500 as anotherrepresentative embodiment of communication system 500. In particular,such an embodiment can perform a method that comprises receiving, by aprocessing system including a processor, image data representing imagescaptured by a video camera; generating a plurality of signalsrepresenting the image data; and converting the plurality of signals toa plurality of digital streams. The method can also comprise performingelectrical-to-optical conversion of the digital streams to generate aplurality of optical signals at a plurality of different wavelengths,and multiplexing the optical signals to generate a multiplexed signalcomprising the plurality of wavelengths; the multiplexing can comprisewavelength-division multiplexing (WDM). The method can further comprisetransmitting the multiplexed signal via a unidirectional single fiberoptic cable to a video presentation device. In one or more embodiments,the electrical-to-optical conversion and the multiplexing can beperformed at an integrated device, where the integrated device and thevideo camera are internal to a housing with a port formed therein, andthe integrated device is coupled to a cable connector configured toconnect to a proximal end of the fiber optic cable via the port. Thedistal end of the fiber optic cable can be configured for connection toa demultiplexer of a video presentation device.

Communication system 600 can comprise a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)640, a tElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server 630, and other networkelements of an IMS network 650. The IMS network 650 can establishcommunications between IMS-compliant communication devices (CDs) 601,602, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) CDs 603, 605, andcombinations thereof by way of a Media Gateway Control Function (MGCF)620 coupled to a PSTN network 660. The MGCF 620 need not be used when acommunication session involves IMS CD to IMS CD communications. Acommunication session involving at least one PSTN CD may utilize theMGCF 620.

IMS CDs 601, 602 can register with the IMS network 650 by contacting aProxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which communicates with aninterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF), which in turn, communicates with a ServingCSCF (S-CSCF) to register the CDs with the HSS 640. To initiate acommunication session between CDs, an originating IMS CD 601 can submita Session Initiation Protocol (SIP INVITE) message to an originatingP-CSCF 604 which communicates with a corresponding originating S-CSCF606. The originating S-CSCF 606 can submit the SIP INVITE message to oneor more application servers (ASs) 617 that can provide a variety ofservices to IMS subscribers.

For example, the application servers 617 can be used to performoriginating call feature treatment functions on the calling party numberreceived by the originating S-CSCF 606 in the SIP INVITE message.Originating treatment functions can include determining whether thecalling party number has international calling services, call IDblocking, calling name blocking, 7-digit dialing, and/or is requestingspecial telephony features (e.g., *72 forward calls, *73 cancel callforwarding, *67 for caller ID blocking, and so on). Based on initialfilter criteria (iFCs) in a subscriber profile associated with a CD, oneor more application servers may be invoked to provide various calloriginating feature services.

Additionally, the originating S-CSCF 606 can submit queries to the ENUMsystem 630 to translate an E.164 telephone number in the SIP INVITEmessage to a SIP Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) if the terminatingcommunication device is IMS-compliant. The SIP URI can be used by anInterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) 607 to submit a query to the HSS 640 toidentify a terminating S-CSCF 614 associated with a terminating IMS CDsuch as reference 602. Once identified, the I-CSCF 607 can submit theSIP INVITE message to the terminating S-CSCF 614. The terminating S-CSCF614 can then identify a terminating P-CSCF 616 associated with theterminating CD 602. The P-CSCF 616 may then signal the CD 602 toestablish Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication services,thereby enabling the calling and called parties to engage in voiceand/or data communications. Based on the iFCs in the subscriber profile,one or more application servers may be invoked to provide various callterminating feature services, such as call forwarding, do not disturb,music tones, simultaneous ringing, sequential ringing, etc.

In some instances the aforementioned communication process issymmetrical. Accordingly, the terms “originating” and “terminating” inFIG. 6 may be interchangeable. It is further noted that communicationsystem 600 can be adapted to support video conferencing. In addition,communication system 600 can be adapted to provide the IMS CDs 601, 602with the multimedia and Internet services of communication system 500 ofFIG. 5.

If the terminating communication device is instead a PSTN CD such as CD603 or CD 605 (in instances where the cellular phone only supportscircuit-switched voice communications), the ENUM system 630 can respondwith an unsuccessful address resolution which can cause the originatingS-CSCF 606 to forward the call to the MGCF 620 via a Breakout GatewayControl Function (BGCF) 619. The MGCF 620 can then initiate the call tothe terminating PSTN CD over the PSTN network 660 to enable the callingand called parties to engage in voice and/or data communications.

It is further appreciated that the CDs of FIG. 6 can operate as wirelineor wireless devices. For example, the CDs of FIG. 6 can becommunicatively coupled to a cellular base station 621, a femtocell, aWiFi router, a Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) baseunit, or another suitable wireless access unit to establishcommunications with the IMS network 650 of FIG. 6. The cellular accessbase station 621 can operate according to common wireless accessprotocols such as GSM, CDMA, TDMA, UMTS, WiMax, SDR, LTE, and so on.Other present and next generation wireless network technologies can beused by one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure. Accordingly,multiple wireline and wireless communication technologies can be used bythe CDs of FIG. 6.

Cellular phones supporting LTE can support packet-switched voice andpacket-switched data communications and thus may operate asIMS-compliant mobile devices. In this embodiment, the cellular basestation 621 may communicate directly with the IMS network 650 as shownby the arrow connecting the cellular base station 621 and the P-CSCF616.

Alternative forms of a CSCF can operate in a device, system, component,or other form of centralized or distributed hardware and/or software.Indeed, a respective CSCF may be embodied as a respective CSCF systemhaving one or more computers or servers, either centralized ordistributed, where each computer or server may be configured to performor provide, in whole or in part, any method, step, or functionalitydescribed herein in accordance with a respective CSCF. Likewise, otherfunctions, servers and computers described herein, including but notlimited to, the HSS, the ENUM server, the BGCF, and the MGCF, can beembodied in a respective system having one or more computers or servers,either centralized or distributed, where each computer or server may beconfigured to perform or provide, in whole or in part, any method, step,or functionality described herein in accordance with a respectivefunction, server, or computer.

The server 530 of FIG. 5 can be operably coupled to communication system600 for purposes similar to those described above. Server 530 canprovide services to the CDs 601, 602, 603 and 605 of FIG. 6, which canbe adapted with software to utilize the services of the server 530.Server 530 can be an integral part of the application server(s) 617,which can be adapted to the operations of the IMS network 650.

For illustration purposes only, the terms S-CSCF, P-CSCF, I-CSCF, and soon, can be server devices, but may be referred to in the subjectdisclosure without the word “server.” It is also understood that anyform of a CSCF server can operate in a device, system, component, orother form of centralized or distributed hardware and software. It isfurther noted that these terms and other terms such as DIAMETER commandsare terms can include features, methodologies, and/or fields that may bedescribed in whole or in part by standards bodies such as 3^(rd)Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). It is further noted that some orall embodiments of the subject disclosure may in whole or in partmodify, supplement, or otherwise supersede final or proposed standardspublished and promulgated by 3GPP.

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal 702 of acommunication system 700. Communication system 700 can be overlaid oroperably coupled with system 300 of FIG. 3, communication system 500,and/or communication system 600 as another representative embodiment ofsystem 300 of FIG. 3, communication system 500, and/or communicationsystem 600. The web portal 702 can be used for managing services ofsystem 300 of FIG. 3 and communication systems 500-600. A web page ofthe web portal 702 can be accessed by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL)with an Internet browser using an Internet-capable communication devicesuch as those described in FIGS. 5-6. The web portal 702 can beconfigured, for example, to access a media processor 506 and servicesmanaged thereby such as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), a Video onDemand (VoD) catalog, an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG), or apersonal catalog (such as personal videos, pictures, audio recordings,etc.) stored at the media processor 506. The web portal 702 can also beused for provisioning IMS services described earlier, provisioningInternet services, provisioning cellular phone services, and so on.

The web portal 702 can further be utilized to manage and provisionsoftware applications to adapt these applications as may be desired bysubscribers and/or service providers of communication systems 500-600.For instance, users of the services provided by server 530 can log intotheir on-line accounts and provision server 530 with user profiles,contact information to enable communication with devices described inFIGS. 5-6, and so on. Service providers can log onto an administratoraccount to provision, monitor and/or maintain server 530.

FIG. 8 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device 800.Communication device 800 can serve in whole or in part as anillustrative embodiment of the devices depicted in FIGS. 5-6.

Communication device 800 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 802 (herein transceiver 802), a user interface (UI) 804, apower supply 814, a location receiver 816, a motion sensor 818, anorientation sensor 820, and a controller 806 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 802 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, orcellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth®and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special InterestGroup and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies caninclude, for example, CDMA-1×, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO,WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communicationtechnologies as they arise. The transceiver 802 can also be adapted tosupport circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 804 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 808 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or anavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device800. The keypad 808 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 800 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. The keypad 808 canrepresent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTYkeypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 804 can further include a display810 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology forconveying images to an end user of the communication device 800. In anembodiment where the display 810 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all ofthe keypad 808 can be presented by way of the display 810 withnavigation features.

The display 810 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, thecommunication device 800 can be adapted to present a user interface withgraphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by a userwith a touch of a finger. The touch screen display 810 can be equippedwith capacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology todetect how much surface area of a user's finger has been placed on aportion of the touch screen display. This sensing information can beused to control the manipulation of the GUI elements or other functionsof the user interface. The display 810 can be an integral part of thehousing assembly of the communication device 800 or an independentdevice communicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface(such as a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 804 can also include an audio system 812 that utilizes audiotechnology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system 812 can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem 812 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI804 can further include an image sensor 813 such as a charged coupleddevice (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 814 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energyto the components of the communication device 800 to facilitatelong-range or short-range portable applications. Alternatively, or incombination, the charging system can utilize external power sources suchas DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port orother suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 816 can utilize location technology such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS foridentifying a location of the communication device 800 based on signalsgenerated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used forfacilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor 818can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motionof the communication device 800 in three-dimensional space. Theorientation sensor 820 can utilize orientation sensing technology suchas a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device800 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations indegrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 800 can use the transceiver 802 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wirelessaccess points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time offlight (TOF) measurements. The controller 806 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits,and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executingcomputer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by theaforementioned components of the communication device 800.

Other components not shown in FIG. 8 can be used in one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communicationdevice 800 can include a reset button (not shown). The reset button canbe used to reset the controller 806 of the communication device 800. Inyet another embodiment, the communication device 800 can also include afactory default setting button positioned, for example, below a smallhole in a housing assembly of the communication device 800 to force thecommunication device 800 to re-establish factory settings. In thisembodiment, a user can use a protruding object such as a pen or paperclip tip to reach into the hole and depress the default setting button.The communication device 800 can also include a slot for adding orremoving an identity module such as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)card. SIM cards can be used for identifying subscriber services,executing programs, storing subscriber data, and so forth.

The communication device 800 as described herein can operate with moreor less of the circuit components shown in FIG. 8. These variantembodiments can be used in one or more embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

The communication device 800 can be adapted to perform the functions ofthe media processor 506, the media devices 508, or the portablecommunication devices 516 of FIG. 5, as well as the IMS CDs 601-602 andPSTN CDs 603-605 of FIG. 6. It will be appreciated that thecommunication device 800 can also represent other devices that canoperate in communication systems 500-600 of FIGS. 4-5 such as a gamingconsole and a media player.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope of theclaims described below. For example, the wavelengths λ₁, λ₂, λ₃, λ₄ usedinternally in the multiplexer unit 150 can be selected to provideoptimal bit rates. In addition, the encoding unit 130 can perform J2Kcoding, Advanced Video Coding (AVC), or High Efficiency Video Coding(HEVC) to minimize bandwidth and traffic on the unidirectional fibercable 220. Other embodiments can be used in the subject disclosure.

It should be understood that devices described in the exemplaryembodiments can be in communication with each other via various wirelessand/or wired methodologies. The methodologies can be links that aredescribed as coupled, connected and so forth, which can includeunidirectional and/or bidirectional communication over wireless pathsand/or wired paths that utilize one or more of various protocols ormethodologies, where the coupling and/or connection can be direct (e.g.,no intervening processing device) and/or indirect (e.g., an intermediaryprocessing device such as a router).

FIG. 9 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 900 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethods described above. One or more instances of the machine canoperate, for example, as the server 530, the media processor 506, theimage processor 110, and other devices of FIGS. 1-3. In someembodiments, the machine may be connected (e.g., using a network 926) toother machines. In a networked deployment, the machine may operate inthe capacity of a server or a client user machine in a server-clientuser network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (ordistributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet, a smart phone, a laptop computer, adesktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge,or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a communication device of the subject disclosureincludes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video ordata communication. Further, while a single machine is illustrated, theterm “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machinesthat individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) ofinstructions to perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein.

The computer system 900 may include a processor (or controller) 902(e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), a graphics processing unit(GPU, or both), a main memory 904 and a static memory 906, whichcommunicate with each other via a bus 908. The computer system 900 mayfurther include a display unit 910 (e.g., a liquid crystal display(LCD), a flat panel, or a solid state display). The computer system 900may include an input device 912 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 914 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 916, a signal generationdevice 918 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interfacedevice 920. In distributed environments, the embodiments described inthe subject disclosure can be adapted to utilize multiple display units910 controlled by two or more computer systems 900. In thisconfiguration, presentations described by the subject disclosure may inpart be shown in a first of the display units 910, while the remainingportion is presented in a second of the display units 910.

The disk drive unit 916 may include a tangible computer-readable storagemedium 922 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g.,software 924) embodying any one or more of the methods or functionsdescribed herein, including those methods illustrated above. Theinstructions 924 may also reside, completely or at least partially,within the main memory 904, the static memory 906, and/or within theprocessor 902 during execution thereof by the computer system 900. Themain memory 904 and the processor 902 also may constitute tangiblecomputer-readable storage media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Application specific integrated circuits andprogrammable logic array can use downloadable instructions for executingstate machines and/or circuit configurations to implement embodiments ofthe subject disclosure. Applications that may include the apparatus andsystems of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronicand computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions in two ormore specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with relatedcontrol and data signals communicated between and through the modules,or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Thus, theexample system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardwareimplementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the subject disclosure, theoperations or methods described herein are intended for operation assoftware programs or instructions running on or executed by a computerprocessor or other computing device, and which may include other formsof instructions manifested as a state machine implemented with logiccomponents in an application specific integrated circuit or fieldprogrammable gate array. Furthermore, software implementations (e.g.,software programs, instructions, etc.) including, but not limited to,distributed processing or component/object distributed processing,parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also beconstructed to implement the methods described herein. Distributedprocessing environments can include multiple processors in a singlemachine, single processors in multiple machines, and/or multipleprocessors in multiple machines. It is further noted that a computingdevice such as a processor, a controller, a state machine or othersuitable device for executing instructions to perform operations ormethods may perform such operations directly or indirectly by way of oneor more intermediate devices directed by the computing device.

While the tangible computer-readable storage medium 922 is shown in anexample embodiment to be a single medium, the term “tangiblecomputer-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a singlemedium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database,and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets ofinstructions. The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shallalso be taken to include any non-transitory medium that is capable ofstoring or encoding a set of instructions for execution by the machineand that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods ofthe subject disclosure. The term “non-transitory” as in a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage includes without limitation memories, drives,devices and anything tangible but not a signal per se.

The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shall accordinglybe taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such asa memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only(non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable(volatile) memories, a magneto-optical or optical medium such as a diskor tape, or other tangible media which can be used to store information.Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more ofa tangible computer-readable storage medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are from time-to-timesuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Wireless standards for device detection (e.g.,RFID), short-range communications (e.g., Bluetooth®, WiFi, Zigbee®), andlong-range communications (e.g., WiMAX, GSM, CDMA, LTE) can be used bycomputer system 900. In one or more embodiments, information regardinguse of services can be generated including services being accessed,media consumption history, user preferences, and so forth. Thisinformation can be obtained by various methods including user input,detecting types of communications (e.g., video content vs. audiocontent), analysis of content streams, and so forth. The generating,obtaining and/or monitoring of this information can be responsive to anauthorization provided by the user. In one or more embodiments, ananalysis of data can be subject to authorization from user(s) associatedwith the data, such as an opt-in, an opt-out, acknowledgementrequirements, notifications, selective authorization based on types ofdata, and so forth.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Theexemplary embodiments can include combinations of features and/or stepsfrom multiple embodiments. Other embodiments may be utilized and derivedtherefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changesmay be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Figuresare also merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certainproportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized.Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves thesame or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments describedor shown by the subject disclosure. The subject disclosure is intendedto cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure.For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can becombined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. Inone or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can alsobe negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or withoutreplacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The stepsor functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subjectdisclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or functionsdescribed with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure canbe performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions ofthe subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from othersteps that have not been described in the subject disclosure. Further,more than or less than all of the features described with respect to anembodiment can also be utilized.

Less than all of the steps or functions described with respect to theexemplary processes or methods can also be performed in one or more ofthe exemplary embodiments. Further, the use of numerical terms todescribe a device, component, step or function, such as first, second,third, and so forth, is not intended to describe an order or functionunless expressly stated so. The use of the terms first, second, thirdand so forth, is generally to distinguish between devices, components,steps or functions unless expressly stated otherwise. Additionally, oneor more devices or components described with respect to the exemplaryembodiments can facilitate one or more functions, where the facilitating(e.g., facilitating access or facilitating establishing a connection)can include less than every step needed to perform the function or caninclude all of the steps needed to perform the function.

In one or more embodiments, a processor (which can include a controlleror circuit) has been described that performs various functions. Itshould be understood that the processor can be multiple processors,which can include distributed processors or parallel processors in asingle machine or multiple machines. The processor can be used insupporting a virtual processing environment. The virtual processingenvironment may support one or more virtual machines representingcomputers, servers, or other computing devices. In such virtualmachines, components such as microprocessors and storage devices may bevirtualized or logically represented. The processor can include a statemachine, application specific integrated circuit, and/or programmablegate array including a Field PGA. In one or more embodiments, when aprocessor executes instructions to perform “operations”, this caninclude the processor performing the operations directly and/orfacilitating, directing, or cooperating with another device or componentto perform the operations.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can beseen that various features are grouped together in a single embodimentfor the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method ofdisclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that theclaimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited ineach claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subjectmatter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimedsubject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device comprising: a processing systemincluding a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructionsthat, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance ofoperations comprising: encoding a plurality of digital signalsrepresenting image data captured by a video camera, wherein the encodingis performed by an encoding unit coupled to the video camera; andtransmitting the digital signals as a set of four serial digitalinterface (SDI) streams to a wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) unitcoupled to the encoding unit, wherein the WDM unit performselectrical-to-optical conversion of the digital signals and outputs amultiplexed signal comprising a plurality of wavelengths to a cableconnector, wherein the cable connector is configured for connecting to aproximal end of a single fiber-optic cable, a distal end of the singlefiber-optic cable being configurable for connection to a demultiplexerof a video presentation device, wherein the multiplexed signal istransmitted on the single fiber-optic cable unidirectionally from theproximal end to the distal end, wherein the video camera provides theimage data in accordance with a 4K ultra-high definition (4K-UHD)standard.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the video camera, theencoding unit, and the WDM unit form a combined module within a housing.3. The device of claim 2, wherein the housing has a port formed therein.4. The device of claim 3, wherein the cable connector is configured forconnecting to the proximal end of the single fiber-optic cable via theport.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the video camera comprises animage processing unit and an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter.
 6. Thedevice of claim 5, wherein the image processing unit provides an analogvideo signal to the A/D converter, and wherein the A/D converterprovides the plurality of digital signals to the encoding unit.
 7. Thedevice of claim 5, wherein the A/D converter provides four digitalsignals in accordance with the SMPTE 424M standard.
 8. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the WDM unit includes four electrical-to-opticalconversion devices, and wherein each of the electrical-to-opticalconversion devices outputs a different wavelength.
 9. A methodcomprising: receiving, by a processing system including a processor,image data representing images captured by a video camera; generating,by the processing system, a plurality of signals representing the imagedata; performing, by the processing system, electrical-to-opticalconversion of the plurality of signals to generate a plurality ofoptical signals at a plurality of different wavelengths, wherein theplurality of optical signals includes four optical signals at theplurality of different wavelengths; multiplexing, by the processingsystem, the plurality of optical signals to generate a multiplexedsignal comprising the plurality of wavelengths; and transmitting, by theprocessing system, the multiplexed signal via a unidirectional singlefiber optic cable, wherein the image data is in accordance with a 4Kultra-high definition (4K-UHD) standard.
 10. The method of claim 9,further comprising: converting, by the processing system, the pluralityof signals to a plurality of digital streams, wherein the performingcomprises electrical-to-optical conversion of the digital streams togenerate the plurality of optical signals.
 11. The method of claim 10,wherein the plurality of digital streams comprises four serial digitalinterface (SDI) streams.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein themultiplexing comprises wavelength division multiplexing (WDM).
 13. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the transmitting comprises transmitting themultiplexed signal to a video presentation device.
 14. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the electrical-to-optical conversion and themultiplexing are performed at an integrated device, the integrateddevice and the video camera being internal to a housing with a portformed therein.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the integrateddevice is coupled to a cable connector configured to connect to aproximal end of the fiber optic cable via the port.
 16. The method ofclaim 15, wherein a distal end of the fiber optic cable is configuredfor connection to a demultiplexer of a video presentation device.
 17. Asystem comprising: a first device for capturing and sending image data;a second device for receiving and presenting the image data; and asingle fiber-optic cable connecting the first device and the seconddevice, wherein the first device comprises a first processing systemincluding a first processor and a first memory that stores firstexecutable instructions that, when executed by the first processingsystem, facilitate performance of operations comprising: encoding afirst plurality of digital signals representing the image data capturedby a video camera, wherein the encoding is performed by an encoding unitcoupled to the video camera, wherein the video camera provides the imagedata in accordance with a high resolution standard; and transmitting thefirst plurality of digital signals to a wavelength-division multiplexing(WDM) unit coupled to the encoding unit, wherein the WDM unit outputs amultiplexed signal comprising a plurality of wavelengths to a firstcable connector; wherein the video camera, the encoding unit, and theWDM unit form a combined module within a housing of the first device,and wherein the first cable connector is configured for connecting to aproximal end of a single fiber-optic cable; wherein a distal end of thesingle fiber-optic cable is configured for connection to a second cableconnector of the second device, and the multiplexed signal istransmitted on the single fiber-optic cable unidirectionally from theproximal end to the distal end; wherein the second device comprises asecond processing system including a second processor and a secondmemory that stores second executable instructions that, when executed bythe second processing system, facilitate performance of operationscomprising: receiving the multiplexed signal at the second cableconnector; and transmitting the multiplexed signal to awavelength-division demultiplexing unit coupled to the second cableconnector, wherein the wavelength-division demultiplexing unit providesfour optical signals and performs optical-to-electrical conversion ofthe optical signals to generate a second plurality of digital signalsrepresenting the image data for presentation at a display of the seconddevice.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the transmitting of thefirst plurality of digital signals comprises transmitting the firstplurality of digital signals as a plurality of serial digital interface(SDI) streams.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the WDM unit performselectrical-to-optical conversion of the plurality of SDI streams tooutput the multiplexed signal.
 20. The system of claim 17, wherein thehousing has a port formed therein, and wherein the first cable connectoris configured for connecting to the proximal end of the singlefiber-optic cable via the port.